Bo Xilai admits partial role in embezzlement of official funds

BEIJING: Disgraced Chinese leader Bo Xilai today said he had not acted to stop the embezzlement of government funds by his wife, the first time he has admitted to any of the charges against him since his trial began two days ago.

Admitting some responsibility for his wife's actions, he told the Jinan Intermediate People's Court in Shandong province, "I am ashamed of it. I was too careless, because this is public money.

"I failed to retrieve the money later, and that's a factual statement, but can you say I had the intention to embezzle the money? No," he said.

Bo also admitted to his role in coercing a top police official, who feared reprisals from the disgraced Communist Party leader for acting against his wife in the murder of her British business partner.

Rejecting most allegations of bribery and embezzlement against him, he said he was ready to assume "partial responsibility" for Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun's attempted defection to the US consulate in Chengdu in February last year.

He admitted slapping Wang when the two had differences over the police chief's investigation of the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood planned by his wife Gu Kailai.

This is the first time since the high-profile trial began that Bo - who has been accused of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power - has admitted to any of the charges.

He has rejected all corruption charges against him, including embezzlement of over USD 4 million and owning a villa in France.

Bo today was confronted with the testimonies of Gu and Wang, who are serving prison terms.

Wang, who personally testified against Bo, today blamed the former Communist Party leader for his attempted defection.

He sought refuge in the US mission as Bo, who headed the Chongqing city administration, was furious over investigations into the role of his wife Gu.

The testimonies turned out to be deeply embarrassing for Bo as Wang was regarded as his closest aide until the two fell out over the murder probe.

Gu admitted to the murder of Heywood, a middle man for Bo's family, and was sentenced to death with a two-year reprove this year. Wang was sentenced to 15 years for going to the US consulate to seek asylum.